1. Real Weddings

Stevie & Shawn: A Casual Wedding in New Ulm, TX

Stevie and Shawn celebrated their intimate ceremony at Shawn's family's country home, where in the 19th century half of the structure had been a train

Stevie and Shawn celebrated their intimate ceremony at Shawn's family's country home, where in the 19th century half of the structure had been a train station and the other half a Catholic church. The Bride Stevie Bingham The Groom Shawn Dougherty The Date July 10 Shawn Dougherty's proposal to Stevie Bingham almost didn't happen. The 28-year-old owner of a graphic-design firm had decided to pop the question in Rome (Stevie's favorite city). First, Shawn left his passport at the airport; then Stevie, 26, the owner of a trendy women's clothing boutique, left her new coat on the plane. By the time the travelers (and all of their personal items) reached their destination, both were bushed. Shawn decided to stick with his plan anyway and proposed over a shared dessert in a five-star restaurant. Months later, the two ate their first bites of wedding cake off that same plate -- the restaurant had let them keep the china.

Shawn's groom's cake was a life-size chocolate cake treasure chest with gold-wrapped chocolate coins spilling out of it -- a tribute to the groom's interest in pirate history.
The Ceremony Decor
Stevie and Shawn celebrated their marriage at his mother and stepfather's country home. The family had recently added on a great room with huge cathedral ceilings and a stone fireplace, which is where the couple exchanged vows.
The Reception Decor
The Guests
The Formalwear
The First Dance
The Couple
The Exit
Stevie's cake consisted of three round tiers of white cake with a layer of white cake, a layer of Kahlúa-flavored cake, and a layer of Italian crème (in a nod to the couple's Roman engagement). Lavender rose petals and the couple's monogram in Swarovski crystal topped off the confection.